Miccio returned to Nelson in 2002 and became a Nelson City Councillor in 2007 (serving one term) and was elected mayor in 2010 at the age of 39. He was defeated by
Rachel Reese at the next election in 2013.
Contribution to the 2011 Rugby World Cup Whilst serving as a Nelson City Councillor Miccio was instrumental in securing three Rugby World Cup 2011 matches for the city and did much of the groundwork to ensure the Italian Rugby World Cup team were hosted in Nelson during the event. His success was underpinned by a mention in
Martin Snedden's book,
A Stadium of 4 Million. During this time he was also the first non-Māori to speak at a
Pōwhiri at the Whakatū
Marae, welcoming the Italian Rugby World Cup team in their native Italian. During Rugby World Cup 2011, Miccio launched
Hug an Aussie Day to coincide with the Australian RWC team's arrival in Nelson. The initiative was a response to a perceived atmosphere of antipathy towards Australians brought on by the tournament. The initiative was a huge PR success bringing international TV coverage to the small New Zealand city of Nelson.
Contribution to National League Football in Nelson During his time as Nelson's mayor, Miccio was part of the consortium who brought National League Football to Nelson. As the
Nelson Falcons Founder and Club Chairman, Miccio helped propel the team to take part in a national final in their second season, having won eight games in a row. In the early 2014 season they were beaten finalists, in the late 2014 season they were champions. A keen sportsman, Miccio also took part in the charity boxing match, Fight for Victory, whilst he was mayor, and provided a personal grant to help facilitate educational opportunities for promising children at Victory Boxing in Nelson. Under Miccio's leadership, Nelson City Council achieved much economic success and regional growth, including the following achievements: • Developed and consulted with the public on the Framing our Future Vision for Nelson 2060 • Brought cruise ships back to Nelson • Hosted the
Iwi Economic Development Summit • Helped to facilitate the ultra fast broadband roll out • Gifted land to help Nelson Housing Trust proceed with an affordable housing development at the Brook • Completed purchase of Theatre Royal and Nelson School of Music • Completed 2013 Trafalgar Park upgrade • Approved funding for Trafalgar Centre • Built the Saxton Field hockey and cricket pavilions and approved the proposed cycle velodrome • Helped fund Kiwiflyer movie production costs • Developed economic development opportunities with sister city, Huangshi • Signed a new sister city
Memorandum of Understanding to explore economic opportunities with Yangjiang • Approved and began work on the Maitai Dam duplicate pipeline to Nelson city significantly increasing
water security and the water volume that can be used from the dam • Successfully bid for the rights to host at least two pool matches at the ICC Cricket World Cup in February 2015. • Launched The Solar Promise, a nationwide campaign encouraging all NZ councils to embrace solar solutions and make it easier for their communities to go solar. • Developed a proposal to set up contact centres in Nelson providing new job opportunities. During his three-year term as mayor and under Miccio's prudent financial management, there was an average rates rise of just 3.6%, the lowest of any term in the preceding 20 years. Nelson City Council debt rate was in the bottom 20% of all councils throughout New Zealand. During Miccio's term as mayor, following some controversy around how the relationship between the work of mayor and his private business interests had been managed, Miccio requested that the Office of the Auditor-General conduct an independent review. The OAG concluded that they were satisfied Miccio did not pursue any private business interests during his Council funded travel to China in 2012. == Film ==